Traveling case cover



Nov. 11, 1952 J. MEYERS TRAVELING CASE COVER Filed Jan. 22, 1948 2 5lEETS-SHEET 1 stretchable fNon smrefchuble le rm g l v l gg. lrvlng Joseph Meyers,

icul ly stretchable across.

Elost TORNEYS.

Nov. 11, 1952 MEYERS 2,617,504

TRAVELING CASE COVER Filed Jan. 22, 1948 2 Sl-lEETS-$HEET 2 stretchable across and lengthwise.

TTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 11, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,617,504 TRAVELING CASE COVER Irving Joseph Meyers, Richmond, Va.

Application January 22, 1948, Serial No. 3,780

5 Claims.

This invention relates to protective and decorative covers for luggage such as suitcases, trunks, and other traveling cases.

It is well known that luggage, such as sultoases and the like, are subject to much rough handling not only by persons but also by luggage conveyor machinery and in luggage chutes. As a resultof such severe treatment, the finished surface of the luggage is gouged, scratched and soiled to a point where the appearance is ruined, and eventually the structure of the luggage is weakened.

heretofore attempts have been made. to provide covers for traveling cases to protect the same but their success has been quite limited as will be ex lained hereinafter.

Luggage covers to fit certain brands of lug-. gage have been made but it is a common characteristic that such covers will not fit other makes,

even though the dimensions are alleged to be the same. The cheaper covers now on the market are unwieldy and diffi'cult to fit on the luggage and furthermore do not snugly hug or cling to the luggage and enhance its appearance.

--On'e of the objects of this invention is to provide an elastically expansible cover which will snugly accommodate luggage made by different manufacturers and of like specifications but which may vary slightly in size. These may also vary in contour for various reasons, as for example on account of seam or corner structure or protecting pieces.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cover for luggage such as a suitcase, which is easily and quickly adjusted to the lug a e and which will snugly cling thereto, thereby enhancing the appearance of the luggage.

A further object is to provide a luggage cover so constructed that the cover clings to and remains on both the lid and the body portion, even when such luggage is opened or remains open.

Another object of the invention is to provide a luggage cover constructed with extra reinforcement at all pressure points, as beneath studs, legs .or corners on which the luggage or traveling bag is normally set down.

; Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a cover for luggage which, while protecting the same, enhances the appearance of any luggage on which it is used and furthermore makes it possible to have matched sets and ens'embles of new and old luggage.

The above and additional features and advantages are described in the following specification and claims, and are illustrated in the accompany-- ing drawings, in which:

2 Fig. l is a perspective view of a luggagecover applied to a suitcase or handbag in closed po sition;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the cove: applied to a suitcase, the suitcase being in the open position; 1

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view looking at the inner surface of the top panel of the luggage cover and showing the arrangement of the key pocket; Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified type of the luggage cover applied toa suitcase in closed position; V

Fig. 7 is a section along the line 1-4 of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational viewof a modified type of key pocket, the view showing the inner surface of the cover; I

1 Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on line 9--9 of Fig. 8; and 1 Fig. 10 is a horizontal section Ill-l0 of Fig. 8.

Referring now more specifically to the drawtaken on the line ings, there is illustrated a conventionalpiece of luggage, such as a suitcase, trunk, handbag, etc., preferably having a conventional handle. The drawings illustrate the luggage cover of this illvention as used on asuitcase but it will be understood that the luggage cover ofthis inven tion may be designed for use on any piece of luggage with equal facility and with all the features and advantages outlined herein.

The suitcase illustrated in the drawings con sists of a bottom or main section I to which is hinged along its back at 2 a lid or top section 3 adapted to be swung about the hinge 2 to the open or closedposition as shown in Figures 1,2 and 3. When in the closed position, the upper edge of the bottom section I and the lower edge of the top section 3 are substantially contiguous and these edges are illustrated in Figs. 1', 2, 6 and 7 as abutting. The luggage cover,- whichis custom made to certain dimensions, comprises a main body portion preferably made of one piece consisting of a top panel 4, a bottom panel 5 and a back portion 6 which extends along the back of the suitcase where the hinge 2 is located. The main body portion may be of any suitable flexible material and in the instance illustrated is made of nonstretchable whipcord fabric or leather.

. An elastic portion 7, stretchable in one direc-- tion only, as illustrated in the drawings, Figures 2 and 3, connects the top panel 4, bottom panel 5 and the back portion 5 along their marginal edges 8, 9 and I respectively, to form therewith a. complete cover or case. The elastic portion F thus extends from one end of the back portion 6 around the three sides and is connected to the opposite end of the back portion fi. In the instance of the rectangular suitcase illustrated, the elastic material covers the ends and the front of the case, Ithe*frontfbeing that portion of the con-- ventional suitcase having the handle and locks thereon. The elastic portion I is divided throughout its length between its upper and lower mar-- ginal edges where it is connected to said'top panel 4 and bottom panel of said main body portion, to form lower and upper sections H and [-2 which correspond in dimensions to main section I and the lid or top section 3 of the suitcase. Two slide fasteners l3 and I3 are provided alongthe meet ing edges of the upper and lower sections I2 and lief the-elastic portion 1 so that-when the .lid 3 of the-suitcase is-closed; the slidefasteners 1 land l3 are zipped around from both sides or ends to the handle or frontside of the suitcase, thereby securing together the upper and lower sections H and I2. The slide fastener extends the full length of -the elastic portion and from one end to the other of the back portion 6. The .line of the cover sections H and .12, after they are brought together, is therefore substantiallycontiguous with the lower edge line of the top-section 3 of the: suitcase-or the line where the top and bottom sections of the suitcaseabut.

Thezcover is providedwitha slot 1 G- for them:- commodation of the handle of the suitcase which may pass outwardly therethrough when the cover is applied to the -suitcase.-

The elastic portion 1 asshowninFigures'Z and 3 is made of a material which :is characterized by the fact that :it is -stretchable inone direction only. One example of such material is a woven textile in;which-stran'ds :of rubber covered with cotton, silk or rayon comprise the woven threads of the textile-inone direction. :In the particular instance at hand, the elastic'portion "I is incorporated in sucha way, as a part of the cover, that its direction of stretch is transversely of the luggage cover as a -whole. With this arrangement it will be seen that if the suitcase depth varies somewhat from the exact depth of the-cover; -or'if the dimensions varyslightly as a resultof the exterior trim of the suitcase, the elasticportion I will compensate for this difference :due to its direction of stretch, when the slidable fasteners i3 and-1E3 are drawn upon closingofthesuitcase'. r

Double reinforcement of leather, .leatheretteor other suitable material is placed-at pressure points car-points which would be subject to abnormal wear, as at corners, such as 1.5 and 1-6, Figure 1, where the suitcase normally contactsi'a support when set=down.

From the foregoing, it will be clear that the elastic covers described have the quality-of clinging snugly to luggage of the size selected. This is in contrast to the appearance resulting when previously known ready made covers were used on selectedv sizes. Whereas such combination usually showed slackness, bulges or other signs of imperfect fit, the. combination of the presentinventionprov-ides an exact fit and at all times a tautsurface.

A piece of'leather, leatherette or other material l'! is secured to the outer surface of the top panel i of the luggage cover for the purpose oi attaching some sort of identification, such as the owner's initials or name plate.

Directly beneath the diamond shaped piece I! and attached to the inner surface of the top panel 4 'is a key pocket !8 as shown best in Figures 4 and 5. This key pocket l8 consists of an envelope comprising a body portion l9 open at one end 20 for receiving the key shown in dotted lines. Extending from the body portion I9 is a tab 2| which is secured-to the inner surface of *the top panel 4 "of the luggage cover by the same stitching 22 that secures one end of the leather piece 11. With the key in position stored away for safe keeping, the pocket will appear as shown in full line position in Figure 4 and in section in Figure 5; that is, with the open end 28 covered and the pocket in fiat position so as to present no perceptible bulge as seen from the outside.

To obtain the key from the body of the pocket IE, it is necessary to reach in between the top panelof thecover d .andthe lid of the-suitcase andflip the pocket to the dotted line position, as shown in Figure i, in whichposi-tion the open end as of the key pocket is exposed and the key can be removed through this-opening 2D.

In replacingthe key for safe keeping, the reverse action .of the above is-tollowed. Namely, the key is slipped through the opening 23, the body of the pocket i9 is flippedoverto the full line position of Figure 4-, from which position the opening isno longer exposed. The top sectionof the cover 52 is now slipped back into position on the lid 3 of the suitcase. This rearrangement of thecover is readily done because of the-elastic portion. This arrangement and structureaof key pocket provides a very safeand convenient storage for the key. Y

Figures-6 and -7 show a modification of theinvention similar in many respects torthe invention already described, but including an additional feature-and advantage.

In .the modification of Figures elastic portion 23.is not limit-ed in its stretch to a transverse direction, but is made of an elastic material which is stretchable bothcrosswise and lengthwise. 'In this instance the elastic strands mentionedhereinbefore extend at right angles: to each other. In other words, the elastic portion 23 will stretch not only transversely of the-suit case to compensate for variation in depth ofsimilar size luggage, but lengthwise .orotherwisexfor slight variations in contour of similar sizeluggage. The elastic material and theslidablefas- I ten according to the structure shownin Figs. 6 and 7,-extend the full .distance over both ends and the front, just as in the structureshown in Fig. 1.

With reference 'to'the modified form of key pocket shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, it will be .observed that the-pocket is located on the-inner surface of the cover directly behind the diamond shaped piece "i1 and the pocket consists of a single thickness -.of cloth or other relatively thin material indicatedat .24, which is shown as stitched in place by the same stitching which holds the piece I! on the .top panela i of the cover. The piece .24 is approximately diamond shaped but is modified by removal ofthe upper corner portion down to the edge 25, thus providing an opening into which a key may be inserted between the wall of the piece 24 and the adjacent surface of the inner-wallof the panel 4. It will be obvious that the key pocket, shownfin'Figs.

. 8 9 and i0, is readily accessible when the cover is removed-from the piece of luggage andisalso readily accessible when the slide fasteners are in the open position and the cover on the lid of the luggage may be pulled upwardly, and perchance pulled back from one corner of the lid so that the hand of the owner may reach the pocket.

From the foregoing, it will be clear that the case cover of the present invention is adapted for use on cases without regard to the purpose for which the case is used. Thus the case may be intended for a portable typewriter, a stenographic machine, or an adding machine. The term luggage as used in this specification is intended to include any type of article to which the cover hereof may be advantageously-applied and used.

The cover of this invention has demonstrated that it prolongs the life of a slidable fastening because of the fact that the elastic portion of the cover yields slightly while the sliding member is being moved. This is in contrast to older forms in whichthe cloth adjacent a fastener is not elastic. this latter construction, the strain on the fastening tends to weaken both the fastener and thezadjacent cloth.

It has also been observed that in previous forms of luggage covers having slidable fasteners, the slidable element defaces the surface of the luggage, whether it be leather or cloth, due to the scratching caused by the movement of the slidable element. Such defacing is avoided by the cover of this invention because the elastic portion of the cover serves to permit the operator to move the fastener while it is slightly spaced from the surface of the luggage. The act of moving the slidable fastener tends to pull the fastener outwardly if the cover will yield, as it does if it is of elastic material.

The cove of this invention has also demonstrated that it provides a smooth surface which tends to hide the uneven surfaces of a piece of luggage. For example, in some luggage, the lid overhangs the side wall, thus providing a ledge. Likewise, some luggage has fastenings or corner and-edge protecting pieces of relatively thick contour. The cover of this invention stretches across all such uneven contours, and displays a smooth surface.

A further advantageous feature which has been demonstrated by the use of the cover of this invention arises from the fact that if the cover be pulled up slightly from the luggage lid, it is possible to insert newspapers, magazines or other relatively fiat objects into the space between the luggage lid and the wall of the cover. Thereafter, the cover is pulled back into place, elastically gripping the lid, and the inserted objects are barely noticeable, so smoothly does the cover stretch over both the luggage and the inserted parcel. A particularly useful result of this adaptable characteristic of the cover of this invention is observed when the cover is used with a typewriter case, it being possible to carry stationery between the lid of a. case and the inner surface of the cover.

I claim:

1-. An expansible protective cover for snugly enclosing an article of luggage or the like, having top, bottom, back and side surfaces and of the type having two receptacle-like parts hinged together along the back surface, said cover comprising flexible material for covering the top, back and bottom surfaces of the article, elastic flexible material extending over the side surfaces of the article and from one end of said back to the opposite end thereof, and stretchable in a direction between top and bottom and joined to opposing adjacent edges of the material which covers the top and bottom surfaces, said elastic portion being divided into two parts along a line parallel to the adjacent marginal edges of the covering material for said top and said bottom, and each part of said elastic portion being adapted to elastically embrace the corresponding side of the article of luggage in both the open and closed positions, and slidable fastening means extending substantially throughout the length of said elastic portion, whereby one edge of an elastic portion may be secured to the adjacent edge of the other part of said divided elastic portion.

2'. An expansible protective cover for snugly enclosing an article of luggage or the like of the type having top, bottom, back and sides, a main section and a lid therefor hinged together along the back to allow access to the article by swinging the lid about the hinge away, from the main section, both said main section and said lid being provided with portions of said side surfaces, said cover comprising a top panel, a bottom panel and a sidepanel of non-stretchable material, an elastic portion connecting said top panel, bottom panel and side portion along their marginal edges to form therewith a complete cover, said elastic portion being divided substantially throughout its length between its upper and lower edges where it is connected to said top and bottom panels of said main body portion to form upper and lower parts, the upper part of said cover adapted to snugly fit and elastically embrace the lid of said traveling case, and the lower part of said cover adapted to snugly fit and elastically embrace the main section of the article of luggage, whereby the article may be opened and closed without removing said top and bottom elastic portions of said cover from the main section and lid of the case, and a slidable fastener adapted to releasably secure said upper and lower parts of said cover together along their meeting edges when the traveling case is in the closed position;

3. An expansible protective cover for snugly enclosing an article of luggage or the like, having top, bottom, back and side surfaces and of the type having two receptacle-like parts hinged together along the back surface, said cover com-- prising flexible material for covering the top, back and bottom surfaces of the article, elastic flexible material extending over the side surfaces of the article and from one end of said back to the opposite end thereof, and stretchable in a direction between top and bottom and joined to opposing adjacent edges of the material which covers the top and bottom surfaces, said elastic portion being divided into two parts along a line parallel to the adjacent marginal edges of the covering material for said top and. said bottom, and each part of said elastic portion being adapted to elastically embrace the corresponding side of the article of luggage in both the open and closed positions, and fastening means for drawing together the two parts of said elastic portion and fastening those two parts together.

4. A protective cover for enclosing a luggage structure having two sections each of which has substantially rigid side walls therearound, said cover comprising panels of flexible substantially non-stretchable material adapted to cover a first one of said side walls and to extend transversely of the side walls as two parallel opposite outer walls, elastic flexible material connected to said panels and extending over the remaining side walls of the luggage structure, said elastic material being divided substantially throughout its length along, a line-substantially adjacent, the. meeting line oi-thetwo luggage structure sections, and the respective divided portions each. being adapted to snugly fitting and elastically embrace the side walls of one of the two sections, and'a slidable fastener adapted to releasably secure together the divided portions, of said elastic material and extending from the opposite ends of. saidfirst one of said side walls around the .remaining side walls.

5. A protective cover for enclosing a luggage structure having two sections each of which has substantially rigid side walls therearound and which, whenin the closed position, are substantially contiguous and provide a meeting line therearound substantially at the edges of the two sections, said cover comprising'panels of flexible substantially non-stretchable material adapted to cover a, firstone of said side walls and to extend transversely of the side walls as two parallel opposite outer walls, elastic flexible material connected to said panels and extending over there mainingside walls of the luggage structure, said elasticmaterial being throughoutits length along a line substantially adjacent the meeting line of the twoluggage structure sections, and the respective divided portionseach being adapted to snugly fit and elastically embrace the side walls of one of the two divided substantiallysections,v {and a slidable fastener adapted to releasably secure together the divided portions QI- said elastic material and extending from the opposite ends of said first one of said side walls around the remaining side walls.

IRVING JQSEPH MEYERS.

REFERENCES CIT-ED The iollowingreierences are of record in the file of'this patent;

STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date I 766,242 Gordon Aug, 2, 1904 796,286 Botteese Aug. 1, 1905 1,039,902 'Cook Oct. 1, 1912 1,481,182 Brooks Jan. 15, 1924 1,560,783 Halpin Nov. 10, 1925 1,748,743 Wedler Feb; 25, 1930 1,799,210 'Blaskopf- Apr. 7, 1931 1,889,662 Hyman 'Nov.29, 1932 1,926,429 Bendelari 1 -Sept. 1'2, 1933 2,172,883 Wege Sept. 12, 1939 2,178,885 Buff et a1 Nov. '7, 1939 2,432,365- Allen Dec. 9, 1947 2,438,780 Hochner Mar. 30, 1948 2,467,471 Goldstein Apr. 19, 1949 2,520,250 Meyers Aug. 29, 1950 

